Anurag Thakur, a youth icon

Union Minister for Information and Broadcasting Anurag Thakur has emerged as a youth icon in the state. Each time he visits the state, there is a virtual clamour, especially among the youth and women, to get a picture clicked with him. Anurag not only readily obliges, but also clicks selfies with people, making them feel special. His candid public interaction is winning him admirers. In fact, Leader of the Opposition Mukesh Agnihotri, urging Anurag to plead Himachal’s demands, said he was holding one of the most important ministries, held by important politicians.

The sensitive Prez

President Ram Nath Kovind was forced to stay at a hotel during his visit to Shimla as “Retreat”, the summer Rashtrapati Bhawan at Mashobra, became out of bounds with some staff members testing positive. There were strict restrictions on the movement near the hotel in Chaura Maidan, where Kovind was staying. Sensing the inconvenience that might have been caused to the public, the President, during a stroll on the Ridge, asked people if they felt hassled. The people obviously remarked in the negative, but were highly impressed by the concern shown by the President.

Ignoring common man’s plight

When the multi-crore new Circuit House (pic) was inaugurated at Solan, local MLA Dr Shandil’s joy knew no bounds. Despite being a two-term MLA, he had been staying in the Circuit House where the lack of room availability had been inconveniencing him at times. The ecstatic MLA could not hide his joy as he took to social media to thank the Chief Minister for inaugurating a project conceived by him. While the common man is daily facing hefty traffic challans, politicians have spared no thought to speed up parking projects as their vehicles are rarely challaned. One wonders why the common man’s woes are too trivial for the VIPs, who claim they are in politics to serve the people.

Glorious moments

The golden jubilee celebrations of statehood at the Vidhan Sabha saw many former Speakers, ministers and MLAs taking part in the function. One could see former minister Vijai Singh Mankotia and former MP Dhani Ram Shandil, both former Army officers too, took part in the function adorning their medals. Legislators, who have been members of the house, were seated in the visitor’s gallery, which they probably ever entered. Though the shifting of the venue for lunch from the expansive Peterhoff to the Vidhan Sabha library, because of the President’s security, made the place crowded, it was surely a glorious moment for all.

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